Category Archives: Events

For our March Link-up on March 1, we will be joining Indiana Coalition for Public Education–Monroe County for a free, ticketed screening of the acclaimed documentary, Backpack Full of Cash.

Narrated by Matt Damon, this feature-length documentary explores the growing privatization of public schools and the resulting impact on America’s most vulnerable children. Filmed in Philadelphia, New Orleans, Nashville, and other cities, Backpack Full of Cash takes viewers through the tumultuous 2013–14 school year, exposing the world of corporate-driven education “reform” where public education—starved of resources—hangs in the balance.

This is a ticketed event, so, to get your FREE ticket go to the Event Page and click on the green Register Button. Seating is limited for this event (as of this writing there are only 41 tickets left), so be sure to reserve your ticket soon.

Come hear a power point presentation by Board Member Chaim Julian about wage theft, a crime that is constantly under the radar. The presentation will be followed by a discussion with Liz Feitl, the AFL-CIO Community Service Liaison,with United Way of Monroe County. This crime is one that people do not talk about, but we need to talk about it and Liz has been on the front line dealing with this in our community. This topic is especially timely, because if the US Chamber of Commerce and its allies get their way in front of the US Supreme Court wage theft could become rampant throughout the country.

Prior to the program DFMC Members will elect DFMC Officers and Board of Directors

At our June Link-Up, sponsored by the local Jobs with Justice chapter and DFMC, join us to meet Hoosier hero Chuck Jones and Chuck Deppert. Many will remember that last year, United Technologies made $5 billion in profits, while also announcing hundreds of layoffs at its Carrier plants in Indiana. As president of United Steelworkers Local 1999, Chuck Jones fought for the jobs of his fellow union members. When Trump and Pence gave millions of dollars in subsidies to Carrier, Chuck Jones pointed out that Trump’s promises to save workers’ jobs did not add up. Trumps promise to save 1100 or more of those jobs turned out to be only 800, of the 1400 jobs slated to be moved. He suspected the then-president-elect was including in his count design and engineering jobs that were never going to leave. Trump responded on Twitter by saying Jones had done a “terrible job” as union president. Sadly, Chuck Jones is being proven right, with over 600 layoffs at Carrier in Indiana coming this year, including many right before Christmas. His local 1999 United Steelworkers Local also made waves by endorsing the presidential candidacy of Senator Bernie Sanders, breaking with much of the labor movement.

Chuck Jones will be joined by Chuck Deppert, former president of the Indiana AFL-CIO, who led the state’s fight against NAFTA in the early 1990s, securing the votes of 8 out of 10 Indiana members of Congress against the disastrous, job-killing agreement.

The two Chucks will provide us with some important insights on taking the Democratic party back to its roots in labor, important given how poorly Democrats fared among the working class both in Indiana and nationwide in last year’s election. Please join us and enjoy a night with Bloomington’s most exciting progressives and lets learn something together.

Runnin Crab is a new restaurant in town serving Cajun Fusion. While it is mainly seafood, they have vegetable soup and a very good salad bar for vegetarians. And they serve beer and wine, yahoo yahoo. Runnin Crab is on the east side of Walnut just south of 24th Street (the bypass). It is the next restaurant north of La Charreada restaurant.

Cathy will talk about the important place of Public Schools in the history of our society and providing the sense of community. She will also talk about the impact of vouchers and charter schools on our public schools as well as the demonstrable impact on our society. Finally, she will also discuss the rationale and nature of the Federal lawsuit ICPE-MC filed against Indiana and Seven Oaks Classical School. Go to http://www.icpe-monroecounty.org to see the press release and the lawsuit as well as a Q&A sheet.

LOCATION: ***** Runnin Crab, 2038 N. Walnut ******
DATE: 11 May 2017
TIME: 6:00 to 8:00 PMRunnin Crab is a new restaurant in town serving Cajun Fusion. While it is mainly seafood, they have vegetable soup and a very good salad bar for vegetarians. And they serve beer and wine, yahoo yahoo. Runnin Crab is on the east side of Walnut just south of 24th Street (the bypass). It is the next restaurant north of La Charreada restaurant.

Julia Vaughn, Common Cause, talked to us two months ago about both the importance and the difficulty of getting the legislature to pass a law establishing an independent redistricting panel. Join us in watching this 75 minute documentary that hammers home just why politicians – those in the majority — want to control the drawing of legislative districts. It is a 4 star movie described as:

“Right now, across the country, our two major political parties are gearing up for a once-a-decade war whose winner will control Congress for the next ten years, and possibly more. There will be battles in every state, and each will be kept carefully hidden from the prying eyes of average voters who only become more disenchanted with their government with each meaningless election. Democrats and Republicans collude to keep these skirmishes private so that they can maintain total control over the ultimate political weapon: the ability to directly determine the outcome of elections. Why bother stuffing ballots when they can just draw districts? For the first time, GERRYMANDERING exposes the most effective form of manipulating elections short of outright fraud.

We will have cookies and water to sustain you for the hour — as well as good fellowship and discussion.
See you there

Gerrymandering, the movieDATE: 4 May 2017TIME: 7:00 PMLocation: Library (Kirkwood), Room 1B
Sponsors: Democracy for Monroe County, Reverse Citizens United, and League of Women Voters Bloomington and Monroe County

Please join Democracy for Monroe County at the Players Pub on Sunday, April 30th for a concert fundraiser! Doors open at 3, and the first band will start at 3:30. There is a $10 cover and we will have a silent auction during the show to raise money for DFMC. This money will help us continue to hold our educational linkups, host special events, and promote progressive policies and the candidates that support them. Recent events have included a discussion and book signing with Thomas Frank and linkups on independent redistricting, the Bloomington Food Policy Council, and the Affordable Care Act.

The Bloomington Food Policy Council, established in 2011, exists to increase and preserve access to sustainably produced, locally grown, healthful food for all residents in Monroe and surrounding counties. We are a group of community members committed to building food security by assessing the current food system and advocating policy changes that assure everyone access to affordable and nutritious food, with an emphasis on food produced sustainably by local farmers and gardeners.

BFPC Chair, Ryan Conway, will join the DFMC on Thursday April 13th to discuss the importance of including Food Systems in the City and County’s comprehensive and everyday planning activities. The inclusion of Food Systems in the forthcoming City of Bloomington Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP) was mandated by the Imagine Bloomington Steering Committee, tasked by the City of Bloomington to develop core standards for priority needs for the City’s next master plan. However, the original draft of the CMP contained only a few, superficial references to this critical element Bloomington’s social, economic, and environmental systems. Attendees will be invited to contribute general and specific feedback on goals, policies, and programs that the BFPC should include in its recommendations to the City and County regarding a Food Systems chapter in the CMP. The BFPC is recruiting additional board members, to more thoroughly address this crucial policy work, and will entertain self-nominations on a rolling basis, submitted to bfpc@bloomingtonfpc.org. Come learn about and discuss the fight for food security, food justice, and food sovereignty in Bloomington and Monroe County!

Cindy and I went to protest Trey last night and it was a very interesting experience. We started holding the signs a little after 5:00. By 5:45 we had about 75 people all with signs and a megaphone or two to lead chants. And we had a photographer and reporter from the H-T as well as WTIU. People attending the fund raiser started arriving around 5:30. Most acted as if we did not exist – but there were some good natured waves. I kept asking people if they would come and talk with us since Trey won’t meet. No takers.

About 6:00 Cindy and I went into the fundraiser with Mike Molenda and Janet Stavropoulos. We owe a HUGE thank you to Katherine Devich for offering tickets to attend. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Overall there were about a dozen dems at the affair – most of whom had been outside protesting. Before going on to the details of the affair, I would like to thank William Ellis, the chair of the Monroe County Republican Party and the MC for the event. He was gracious and friendly in welcoming us and, as Trey was distracted as he visited tables, William made sure Trey made his way back to our table.

I did have a brief conversation with Trey, but before that let me provide a few notes on what was said at the affair:

• Luke Messer is running for Joe Donnelly’s seat in the
Senate.

• Donald Trump Jr is going to be at their State meeting
(apparently this is hot off the press)

• Trey told us that he really wants to hear from the people. He
hesitated on voting for Trump care because he wanted to
read it, think about it, and ask citizens what they thought.

• Trey also told us that he really wants to know what his
constituents think so every week they make 300 to 500
random phone calls to constituents to learn what is on their
(our) minds. That is a large number of calls – so those of you
were there let me know if I got it wrong – but that is what
at least two of us heard. If they are randomly selected
constituents, I would expect some of us got one of those
calls????

In talking to someone in the drink line we were asking how Trey won the primary. I was told that he did little meeting with people but rather flooded the district with mail, phone calls, and push-pull polls. But he spent very little time with people. Remember this is just the opinion of one person I was talking to.

Trey visited all the tables before he talked. When he came to our table I told him I was chair of DFMC and told him about William Ellis (chair, MCRP) and Robert Hall (Grass Roots Conservatives) coming to one of our meetings and receiving a spontaneous round of applause. And that most importantly we found common ground on redistricting and money in politics. I told Trey I would like him to be part of a DFMC meeting and have a conversation with us. He said yes, he said “yes” several times – emphasizing that we are all “Americans first.” He had his PR person give me his phone number to find a date. Cindy recorded the conversation just so there is no missing the commitment he made. You can listen to it here.

So, while I suspect this is going to take some persistence, I am hopeful we will be able to host a very interesting meeting.

Julia Vaughn, the Policy Director for Common Cause Indiana, will be coming to Bloomington to help us understand what happened with HB1014 – the bill to establish an independent redistricting panel. Julia joined Common Cause in 1995 and is responsible for policy development, lobbying, grassroots organizing and coalition building in the Hoosier State. Julia led the lobbying effort on the Bill, so she can give us the inside scoop on what the heck is going on.

We had over 150 people attending the last HB1014 committee hearing. The committee had to move the meeting to the House Chamber (it was really nice having one of those chamber seats) to accommodate the crowd. In addition to filling the 100 seats in the Chamber, we had scores of folks in the back, along the side, and sitting in the aisle. However, the Republicans (Committee Chairman, Milo Smith from Columbus) still refused to bring the bill to a vote. We need some insight on this willingness to ignore the people.

The focus of this link-up will be on what we can begin doing now to increase the pressure on the House and Senate in the next session. Both Kate Cruickshank and Julia have told me there is much we can and should be doing, so come hear the post-mortem analysis and, most importantly, strategies for moving forward.

Everyone is invited. Please bring friends and introduce them to DFMC. While membership is not required, joining for $20 a year helps us put on our link-ups and support the progressive agenda.

March DFMC Board Meeting. Monday, March 13 at 6:30PM. We hold our DFMC board meetings in the back room at Player’s Pub. This meeting is open to all. Please submit agenda items to chair@democracyformonroecounty.org if you have a topic you would like us to address.

Coming soon: Special event March 24 featuring best-selling author Thomas Frank, Listen, Liberal: Or, What Ever Happened to the Party of the People? and other books plus a member survey! Details to come.

How Do We Win Voters:
Reflections from the Candidates

Link-ups will normally be the second Thursday of the month – mark it on your calendar. This month we have moved the date so we can all attend Mayor Hamilton’s State of the City address.

We are so excited that this month’s panel has been able to adjust to the date change. Our progressive candidates who were in competitive races were invited to talk with us about their experiences in trying to recruit/enlist the rural and moderate Republican citizens in their districts. The goal is to understand what they learned and how we can use that to reach out and build alliances beyond Bloomington as well as to aid future campaigns. Our panel discussing these issues includes:Shelli Yoder, Candidate for U.S. House, 9th DistrictPenny Githens, Candidate for Indiana House, 60th DistrictBill Breeden, Candidate for Indiana House, 46th DistrictLinda Henderson, Candidate for Indiana Senate, 44th District

As usual, we gather at 6:00PM with the event starting at 6:30PM. Remember we are meeting at the Monroe County Public Library, Rm 1B and we will have pizza and bottles of water.

Everyone is invited. Please bring friends and introduce them to DFMC. While membership is not required, joining for $20 a year helps us put on our link-ups and support the progressive agenda.

Calls to Action.
We hope you will take an active role in DFMC not only in responding to the link-ups but also:

Attend board meetings and offer your input on topics for future linkups and on how we can make DFMC more effective.

Join Indiana Coalition for Public Education–Monroe County for a free, ticketed screening of the acclaimed documentary, Backpack Full of Cash.
Narrated by Matt Damon, this feature-length documentary explores the growing privatization of public schools and the resulting impact on America’s most vulnerable children. Filmed in Philadelphia, New Orleans, Nashville and other cities, Backpack Full of Cash takes viewers through the tumultuous 2013–14 school year, exposing the world of corporate-driven education “reform” where public education—starved of resources—hangs in the balance.
Watch the preview here. vimeo.com/189823117
Doors open to the theater at 6:30.
Your name will be on the list and we will check it at the door to ensure all ticket holders get a seat.
Seating is first come, first seated.
Intro to the film starts at 6:45.
Film begins at 7:00.
The film is proudly sponsored by the following generous donors.
Indiana State Teachers Association, District 18
Indiana University School of Eduction
Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington
Martha & David Moore
Democracy for Monroe County
Penny Githens
Andy & Susie Graham
John Hamilton & Dawn Johnsen
Monroe County Education Association
Deborah Myerson
Showers Inn
Brian & Peg Smith
Janet Stake
Jeff Stake HiFi
Sterling Real Estate
Liz Watson for Congress
More here: www.icpe-monroecounty.org/blog/join-us-in-a-screening-of-backpack-full-of-cash

Are you an advocate for Universal Health Care? Do you believe every company should have to pay people a Living wage? Would you like to see our country change its policy of never-ending Wars? Then you have till next Friday to become a Precinct Committee Person with the Democratic Party at the voter registration office and become a state delegate to the Democratic Party State Convention. We have a chance to come out against superdelegates and make the Democratic party represent the people again. If you agree with me then get off of here and go fill out the forms by next Friday at the Monroe County Voter Registration office and let me know that you've done so. Remember if we pass Universal Health Insurance everybody will have health care and I'll need a job, so let's get this done and find me another job!! ...

Feb 9th Deadline to Fix/Strengthen Dem Party!

February 9, 2018, 8:00am - February 9, 2018, 12:00pm

YOUR Voice Can Save Indiana's Democratic Party!
To Do: File the CAN-37 Form by NOON February 9th!!
Where: Your local County Elections Office
Why: Because Indiana needs and deserves a responsive, open, competent, and accountable Democratic Party in every one of our 92 counties.
What’s the CAN-37 Form? It’s the name of a state form used to declare yourself as a candidate for Precinct Committee-Person (also called Precinct Chair, PC, or PCP). You can find one here:
www.in.gov/sos/elections/2395.htm
What does a Precinct Chair do? In far too many cases, nothing. In other cases, current PC’s do what a very small number of individuals in the county tell them to. Ideally, a PC is in touch with his or her own neighborhood of voters, making sure they register and vote, and that the Party is responding to their concerns. In some counties, the PC helps select Democrat election workers to manage the polls. PC’s (and VPC’s, see below) are the true voting members of Indiana’s Democratic Party. They are the only people who must be notified of a county’s Central Committee meetings and the only people allowed to vote in those meetings. They approve or reject late-entry candidates if the Democratic slate on the ballot is not filled after the Primary.
Importantly, PC’s elect local Party officers (County Chair, Vice-Chair, and others), who in turn elect on up to the District, then State Central Committee and the DNC. If you see problems in your county party of poor leadership, lack of political action and voter engagement, ***THIS, the filing of the CAN-37 Form, before NOON February 9th, IS THE ONLY SURE PATH TO BETTER LEADERSHIP OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. DO IT. GET IN THE ROOM.***
Some fine print: A PC candidate only goes on the Primary (May 8th) ballot IF more than one person in the precinct files a CAN-37. That may mean a seriously contested race, but most likely the person who runs a respectful, friendly race will be appointed to a vacant PC or Vice PC position even after losing. We hope.
What is the Vice PC? After winning a PC race OR running unopposed, the new PC must appoint a new Vice PC of the opposite sex, in writing, by certified mail, postmarked before midnight May 10th. If the new PC does not appoint a Vice PC within that time, the County Chair may fill that vacancy as he or she sees fit.
New to this? Out team wants to help. Drop us a note at DemEnterIN@gmail.com, and we will be glad to answer your questions about filing, running, appointing and all the rest. Also, Monday Feb. 5th we will host a webinar where you can ask questions live: Here is that link:
zoom.us/w/968807211?tk=JSC5nQH1pfhYDFhXGBPtghkV0eesYt65AtU1rxKglzM.DQEAAAAAOb7TKxYxZ01kaDhnLVM4R0...
Don't know the name of your precinct/township/city ward? Confirm or update your Voter Registration info at www.IndianaVoters.com to find the name of your precinct.
WAIT!! You may actually need TWO CAN-37’s! The Indiana State Democratic Convention will be June 15-16th. Can you join us by filing a SECOND CAN-37 to also run for state delegate? We hope to number in the hundreds. It’s a great place to experience the richness of perspectives and resources that the Party and its members have to offer.
***Remember, DON’T sign the form until you are in the presence of the Notary or Election Officer!*** Thanks!!!

This is very important. Please go to this event, organized by the awesome Young Democratic Socialists. ...

Medicare for All Townhall

January 26, 2018, 6:00pm - January 26, 2018, 7:00pm

This event will be held on January 26th in Hodge Hall 2075 at 6PM and feature panelists with a variety of expertise, including Jacob Bosley, Amanda Lamm, Carrie Lawrence, and Robert Stone.
We need a healthcare system that prioritizes the health of working-class Americans over the profits of insurance companies and their billionaire executives. We need a single, universal system with comprehensive coverage that is free at the point of service.
Help YDSA Bloomington, a student branch of the Democratic Socialists of America, fight to replace our broken, for-profit health system with Medicare for All!

Come on out tonight. to the Latino Caucus. The DFMC has been supportive of this process from Day One in this process and would like to congratulate everyone involved for working to get this organized. ...

Inaugural Member Meeting

January 23, 2018, 6:00pm - January 23, 2018, 7:00pm

Join us in launching the first member meeting of the Indiana Latino Democratic Caucus-9th District! More details to come...
Guest speakers include:
Pedro Navarrete, Treasurer, INLDC9; State Central Committee Member, IN Latino Democratic Caucus
Dana Black, Deputy Chairperson of Outreach and Engagement, IN Democratic Party
Christie Popp, Attorney
...and others to be announced!